Expansible flexible bracelet.



e. manor. EXPANSIBLE FLEXIBLE BI\.ACELI'TI'.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 29, 1907 I Patented July 18, 1911.

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Wdrwssea a I Q EDWIN GEORGE HARE-OP, OF CLERKENWELL, LONDON, ENGLAND.

EXPANSIBLE FLEXIBLE BRACELET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 18, 1911.

Application filed July 29, 1907. Serial No. 386,096.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN GEORGE HAR- nor, a subject of the King ofEngland, residing at Clerkenwell, London, England, have invented new anduseful Improvements in Expansible Flexible Bracelets, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to an expansible flexible bracelet composed of aplurality of links of uniform size and the object is to provide anarticle of this kind that shall be reliable of action, symmetric inappearance at all stages of expansion and cheaply manufactured; thechief feature residingin the construction of a hollow middle link in asingle piece having a comparatively narrow longitudinal slot and twoimprisoned helical springs.

According to the improved construction I advantageously use hollowslotted links of identical form and shape throughout, and they may becylindrical with spherical ends or flat with rounded ends, while,moreover, they may be straight, curved or oval, plain or ornamented.

In order that my invention may be clearly understood and readily carriedinto effect I will now proceed to describe the same fully with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a side-view of aslotted cylindrical middle link fitted with its two springs and showingthe cross-pins and portions of the co-acting links at one side thereof;Figs. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the middle link separately withthe cross-pins in posi tion for expanded and compressed springsrespectively; Figs. 4 and 5 are a cross section and a longitudinalsection respectively through the slot of the said link; Fig. 6 is aperspective view of a hollow slotted fiatshaped link with rounded ends;Fig. 7 is a cross sect-ion of Fig. 6 and Fig. 8 shows a similar sectionwith a spring inserted therein; Figs. 9 and 10 are a side elevation anda horizontal section respectively of a hollow curved link with thesprings shown in position. All these figures are shown to an enlargedscale. Figs. 11, 12 and 13 show to a smaller scale a series of suchhollow slotted links joined together in the manner they appear on abracelet before and after expanding.

The same letters of reference denote the same or similar partsthroughout the various figures.

The hollow links a may be produced in a well known manner by drawing themetal through a draw-plate and then winding it in close spirals over anappropriate mandrel to suit the length of the links. The spirals are cutapart and soldered at the juncture, the slots 0 being formed by themandrel.

Suitable helical springs c of the required length are introduced in thelinks, which serve as middle links, while the outer links have across-pin (Z fixed near each end, such pins passing through the slot 6of the middle link and forming a rigid connection for each pair of outeror twin links. The helical springs 0 practically fit the interior of thehollow links and are consequently larger than the slots 1) of saidlinks, but they can be easily introduced by gradually screwing ortwisting the same through the slot into the interior space or width ofthe link. This manner of manufacture prevents the springs being damagedby the heat applied for soldering the ends of the links.

The pins (Z having been secured in one of the outer or twin links arepassed through the slot of the middle link so as to imprison the springsagainst the ends thereof and are then fixed in the opposite outer link.Thus, the springs are not fastened and yet cannot fall out or becomedisengaged or displaced. Furthermore, by making all the links of singleparts and uniform shape without projecting corners or edges, theirmanufacture is cheapened, of more pleasing appearance, and distortion ofthe links or their catching in articles of dress is avoided.

I claim 1. An expanding flexible chain construction, comprising a seriesof middle links construoted with spring housings and having relativelynarrow, longitudinal side slots, side links arranged on either side ofthe middle links, pins connected to said side links and oining themtogether in pairs, said pins being constructed to pass endwise throughthe spring housings in assembling, and being rotatable in said slots topermit flexibility of the chain in the direction transverse to the planeof the links, and springs located between the inner ends of said springhousings and said pins.

2. An expanding flexible chain-bracelet or the like, comprising a seriesof hollow middle links, constructed with spring housings and narrow sideslots, side links arranged on either side of the m ddle l1nks,

pins constructed to pass endwise through side Walls thereof and locatedbetween the said side slots, and to rotate thereln and 1nner ends ofsaid housings and the pins.

permit transverse flexibility in assembling I the parts, and havingtheir ends rigidly con- EDVIN GEORGE HARBOR 5 nected to said side linksand joining them Witnesses:

together in pairs and springs substantially J. CHATWIN,

fitting the spring housings confined by the H. D. JAMESON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, 1). C.

